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NEW DELHI: Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk’s protest gathered fresh momentum on Thursday as farmer leader Rakesh Tikait reached New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar with around 500 farmers, strengthening the ongoing agitation against the Centre and adding to the demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal over the NEET fiasco.The development came as Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike entered its 19th day, with doctors warning that his health has become increasingly fragile after he lost more than 9 kg.Welcoming Tikait’s support, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) posted on X, “jhukti hai sarkaar, jhukane wala chahiye!”The protest also received backing from several opposition leaders and parties on Thursday.After remaining silent for weeks, the Congress made its first official intervention, reaching out to Wangchuk and urging him to end his indefinite fast while assuring him that the party would continue to demand Dharmendra Pradhan’s removal.The appeal came on the 19th day of Wangchuk’s hunger strike.Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said, “we share the anguish and outrange the Wangchuk feels, especially due to the lack of accountability within the Modi Govt – for the collapse of the examination system in particular.”Congress leader Sachin Pilot also expressed solidarity with the activist and appealed to him to end his fast. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s stand, Pilot wrote on X, “The ordeal faced by students and their families due to the paper leak and various irregularities has shaken everyone. Rahul Gandhi ji and our party believe — the youth are the future of the country. No injustice of any kind will be tolerated against them. Students must get justice.“Earlier in the day, former Delhi chief minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and shared the stage with Wangchuk before a large gathering.Kejriwal demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and went a step further by backing Wangchuk as his replacement.He said, “Exam papers are being leaked constantly, day after day. There are irregularities in the papers and flaws in the evaluation process… When the NEET paper leaked, 20 students committed suicide, yet the government took no measures to assure anyone that leaks wouldn’t recur. Further leaks followed the NEET incident, and the CBSE evaluation system was compromised, yet no action was taken against the company involved.“He added, “It appears the government is consumed by arrogance. I want to tell the government: either listen to the voice of the youth, or these very young people will throw you out of power in 2029… I urge the Prime Minister and the country’s 1.4 billion citizens to desire that Sonam Wangchuk be appointed as the education minister in his place.”Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also extended support to Wangchuk’s protest and visited Jantar Mantar.Moreover, apart from several senior opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav, the CJP-led protest has also drawn support from prominent public figures. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and actors Swara Bhaskar and Prakash Raj visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk.Meanwhile, doctors treating Wangchuk warned that his condition continues to worsen as the hunger strike entered its 19th consecutive day. His attending physician, Dr Satish Lamba, cautioned that the activist could face multi-organ complications if the fast continues.Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike on June 28 after joining a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).During a medical briefing, Dr Lamba said Wangchuk has lost more than 9 kg and now weighs 56.9 kg. His condition is being monitored round the clock by a team of doctors.“Today, on the 19th day of hunger strike, his total weight loss exceeds 9 kilograms. His blood sugar today is 80 mg/dL, and his pulse is 72 beats per minute. His blood pressure readings are 105/61 mmHg while lying down and 101/65 mmHg while sitting,” Dr Lamba reported.Doctors said Wangchuk remains hydrated and mentally alert, but medical tests show that his body has entered the second stage of prolonged starvation, significantly increasing the risk of serious health complications if the hunger strike continues.
